Edible Plants of the World

Shittim wood, Whistling thorn

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the lowlands and the highlands. It grows in the semi arid zones. It grows in the Sahel. It grows from 600-1,200 m altitude in Uganda. It grows between 20-2,200 m above sea level. It grows in hot arid areas. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 100-2,280 mm. It can grow in alkaline soils and possibly tolerate some salt. It can grow in arid places.

Also known as:

Agagi, Ali, Ekaramai, Ekoromai, Ekoromoi, Epujaiit, Gum arabic tree, Katuka, Lalwilwi, Mgunga, Muiguiria, Mwera, Sade, Seyal acacia, Sittim wood, Takla, Talh, Thirsty-thorn, Wacu, Wajo, White-galled acacia, White whistling thorn, White thorn

Synonyms

Edible Portion

Where does Shittim wood grow?

Found in: Afghanistan, Africa, Algeria, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, East Africa, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Himalayas, India, Iran, Israel, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Portugal, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Uganda, United States, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Notes: There are about 1,350 Acacia species. Over 1,000 occur in Australia. Also as Mimosaceae.

Status: 300-600 t of gum are exported.

Growing Shittim wood, Whistling thorn

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. If fresh seed are used they can just be sown. Dry seed needs to soaked in cold water for 24 hours. Seed can be stored for several years if kept cool, dry and free from insects. It can be used as a hedge.

Edible Uses: The bark yields an edible gum. It is mixed with the pulp of Balanites aegyptiaca to form a syrup. The inner bark is chewed for its sweet taste.

Production: It grows at a medium pace.

Nutrition Info

per 100g edible portion

Edible Part Energy (kcal) Protein (g) Iron (mg) Vitamin A (ug) Vitamin c (mg) Zinc (mg) % Water
- - - - - -

References

Addis. G. et al, 2013, The Role of Wild and Semi-wild Edible Plants in Household Food Sovereignty in Hamer and Konso Communities, South Ethiopia. Ethnobotany Research & Applications. 11:251-271 (As Acacia seyal)

Anywar, G., et al, 2014, Wild Plants Used as Nutraceuticals from Nebbi District, Uganda. European Journal of medicinal Plants. 4(6):641-660 (As Acacia seyal)

Ballal, M. E., et al, 2014, Ethno-botany of Natural Forests of Nuba Mountains, South Kordofan State, Sudan. Journal of Forest Poducts & Industries. 3(1):13-19 (As Acacia seyal)

Barwick, M., 2004, Tropical and Subtropical Trees. A Worldwide Encyclopedic Guide. Thames and Hudson p 5 (As Acacia seyal)

Bekele-Tesemma A., Birnie, A., & Tengnas, B., 1993, Useful Trees and Shrubs for Ethiopia. Regional Soil Conservation Unit. Technical Handbook No 5. p 64 (As Acacia seyal)

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Dale, I. R. and Greenway, P. J., 1961, Kenya Trees and Shrubs. Nairobi. p 294 (As Acacia seyal)

Descr. Egypte, Hist. nat. 286. 1813-1814 ("1812") (As Acacia seyal)

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Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 151

Feyssa, D. H., et al, 2011, Seasonal availability an consumption of wild edible plants in semiarid Ethiopia; Implications to food security and climate change adaptation. Journal of Horticulture and Forestry 3(5): 138-149 (As Acacia seyal)

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Tent. fl. abyss. 1:238. 1847 (As Acacia stenocarpa)

Uphof, (As Acacia seyal)

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World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew